Device for detecting and identifying play in vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for detecting and identifying play and checking the attachment of wheel, steering-assembly and suspension parts of vehicles. The device includes a linearly displaceable carriage and a supporting plate which is configured to support a wheel of a vehicle. The supporting plate is rotatable, and the carriage is displaceable with respect to the supporting plate in a direction corresponding to the transverse direction of the vehicle. Additionally, the carriage includes a rotatable structure which is configured to rotate the supporting plate about an axis of rotation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for detecting and identifying play and checking the attachment of wheel, steering-assembly and suspension parts of vehicles, comprising:
 a linearly displaceable carriage and a rotatable supporting plate which is configured to support a wheel of a vehicle, 
 wherein the carriage is displaceable with respect to the supporting plate in a direction corresponding to a transverse direction of the vehicle, 
 wherein the carriage comprises a rotatable structure which is provided to rotate the supporting plate about an axis of rotation, 
 wherein the rotatable structure comprises a rotatable axle and a transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotating movement of the axle to the supporting plate ( 3 ), 
 wherein the device further comprises: 
 first and second guide mechanisms in which the carriage is linearly displaceable, wherein the first guide mechanisms are provided on a structure situated underneath and wherein the second guide mechanisms are provided on an underside of the supporting plate, 
 wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a transmission element connected to the rotatable axle and at least one guide element which is provided on the transmission element and which is displaceable in the second guide mechanisms, and 
 wherein the device comprises a first and second drive, wherein the first drive is configured to displace the carriage with respect to the supporting plate and wherein the second drive is configured to rotate the rotatable axle in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carriage is displaceable to a first position in which the rotatable structure is rotatable about a first axis of rotation which extends through the centre of the projection of a wheel on a support surface of the supporting plate. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the carriage is displaceable to a second position in which the rotatable structure is rotatable about a second axis of rotation which is eccentric with respect to the first axis of rotation. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises first measuring mechanisms to determine a rotation of the supporting plate, and second measuring mechanisms to measure generated rotation force, and wherein the device is configured to indicate play on the basis of signals generated by the measuring mechanisms. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises a 4-point bearing for supporting the rotatable structure. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises at least one guide profile which is displaceable in the first guide mechanism. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide element comprises a guide part configured to move linearly in the second guide mechanism, and comprises an engagement part which is configured to engage with the second guide mechanism, so that a rotation of the rotatable axle results in a rotation of the supporting plate. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting plate comprises one or more pressure sensors to determine a position of a wheel. 
     
     
       9. Use of the device according to  claim 1  in order to detect the play in one or more parts of wheel, steering assembly and suspension of one or more wheels of a vehicle and/or airplane. 
     
     
       10. A system for detecting and identifying play and checking the attachment of wheel, steering-assembly and suspension parts of vehicles, comprising:
 a first and a second device according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting plate of the first device is configured to support a left-hand wheel of a vehicle, and wherein the supporting plate of the second device is configured to support a right-hand wheel of a vehicle.